City of Portland - Shelter Attendants - Homeless Services Center

Start Date: January 13, 2025 | End Date: July 12, 2025
County: Cumberland County
Job Type: Other
More Information: Click here

City of Portland - Shelter Attendants - Homeless Services Center

Health and Human Services Department - Social Services Division

Come do good work with us! City of Portland Shelter Attendants are involved in the oversight and coordination of activities associated with the City’s homeless shelters, including serving some of our city’s most vulnerable residents. Shelter Attendants are essential for welcoming and registering homeless individuals in need of shelter, inputting required data into an online system, and monitoring dorms, common areas and shelter grounds. Day to day responsibilities involve shelter resident intake assessments; monitoring and cleaning the outside grounds, the dayroom, sleeping areas, common areas, and bathrooms; making referrals to in-house and community programs; tracking and collecting client data and computer/data entry; and crisis intervention.

Why Join Us:
Gain Valuable Experience for Your Future Career:
If social services is your chosen path, gaining experience as a Shelter Attendant is a great start to building a strong foundation for your professional journey. You’ll be able to compile transferable skills and valuable knowledge through direct and hands-on experience.

Learn About Health & Human Services:
Start your career journey in HHS with an entry-level role that offers a comprehensive understanding of the field. You'll gain insights into resident needs, the referral process, and community programs, which all set the stage for future growth.

Make a Positive Impact in Your Community:
Be part of the solution by joining a program that makes our community a better place to live, work, and play for every Portland resident. Your efforts will directly impact the lives of the unhoused community.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Investigates clients to determine shelter eligibility, social history, residency status, and employment/disability status.
• Makes referrals for finance, health, and other needs requiring assistance.
• Works closely with shelter support staff ensuring residents with special needs receive individualized attention.
• Assists with appointment scheduling for support services staff.
• Confers with staff from other social service agencies and shelters.
• Documents client activity for permanent record reports and enters all necessary client information into shelter database.
• Completes regular shelter checks and monitors shelter residents.
• Performs cleaning duties including bathrooms, vacuuming and sweeping, emptying trash, and organizing common areas.
• Assists in crisis situations at the shelter.
• Performs related work as required.

Required Skills & Experience:

• High School completion required with any equivalent combination of education, experience, and relevant training.
• Working knowledge of shelter methods/techniques.
• Working knowledge of community resources.
• Ability to aid people in solving problems.
• Basic computer skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, case managers, residents, social workers, institutional and public officials, and other community contacts.
• Ability to work as a member of a three-person team without on-site supervision.
• Ability to work awake overnight shifts if schedule requires.
• Evidence of a positive attitude that supports the goals of the City.
• Experience working with low-income and homeless individuals.
• Ability and willingness to utilize available translation services to serve clients with limited or no English proficiency.
• Excellent oral communication skills and the ability to work with a diverse clientele.
• Must submit to annual TB screening.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree encouraged.
• Previous experience working in a homeless shelter.
• Proficiency with data entry and word processing.
• Experience with crisis intervention, mental illness, and substance use.

Hours/Available Schedules:

Schedules vary based on shelter needs. Full time positions operate on a 37.5 hour work-week, and Shelter Attendants typically work three days a week. Day shift and overnight schedules are available!
In addition, a monthly two - hour staff meeting is required.

Applications accepted until filled

Offers of employment are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory criminal background check.

Salary & Benefits:

This is a union position, CEBA (Grade 9) - Pay rate starting at $21.15 hourly. An additional $2.00/hour shift differential in effect for nights after 7 PM and all weekend hours.

The City of Portland prides itself on its outstanding benefits and collegial and mission-driven work environment. City benefits include:

• Free employee health insurance with the completion of wellness incentives
• Thirteen paid holidays
• Sick, vacation, and personal leave
• Life, dental, vision and income protection insurances
• Choice of retirement plans, including a pension plan
• Use of City recreation facilities
• Discount on professional development programs through USM and Thomas College

If you have questions or need assistance with the application, please contact Shae Gonzalez (City of Portland Recruiter) at [email protected] or 207-653-3615 (call or text)

The City of Portland believes that to do our best work, our employees need to reflect the diverse, vibrant community we serve. We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and are committed to celebrating all dimensions of diversity in the workplace. Applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics. If you need to request a reasonable accommodation, please call 207-874-8624 or email [email protected]

To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/5922706